Dorico Tutorials

Bringing External VST & AU Sound Libraries into Dorico

Introduction

Dorico allows you to integrate third-party VST (Windows/macOS) and AU (macOS) sound libraries for expanded playback possibilities. This guide walks you through the steps to load external instruments, configure them with Expression Maps, and save reusable templates for efficient workflow.

1. Add a VST/AU Device and Load a Sound

1. Open Play Mode by clicking the Play tab at the top.
2. In the VST and MIDI Instruments Panel (right-hand side), click the “+” button to add a new VST/AU instrument.
3. Select the desired VST/AU plugin (e.g., Kontakt, EastWest Play or Opus, Omnisphere, BBCSO).
4. In the instrument interface, load the desired sound patch.
5. Rename the Device to something descriptive (optional, but helpful). Click the gear icon next to the device name to open Settings for the device
6. Open the Device interface by clicking the E button next to the device name.

2. Assign the Instrument to a Track in Dorico

1. In Play Mode, locate the track for the instrument.
2. Click the VST dropdown menu next to the track.
3. Select the newly added VST/AU instrument.
4. Adjust the MIDI channel if required (multi-timbral instruments may require manual assignment per channel).
5. Repeat this process for other Voices if desired (see section 7 below)

3. Add or Import an Expression Map

Expression Maps allow Dorico to communicate articulations and techniques to the VST/AU instrument.

Option 1: Import a Pre-Made Expression Map

• Dorico offers a collection of pre-made Expression Maps on the official blog:
  Dorico Expression Maps
• Download the relevant Expression Map for your library.
• Go to Play Mode → Expression Maps (gear icon).
• Click Import, navigate to the downloaded file, and apply it to your instrument.

Option 2: Create a Custom Expression Map

1. Open Play Mode → Expression Maps.
2. Click New Expression Map.
3. Add a Playing Technique (e.g., pizzicato, legato, staccato).
4. Assign a corresponding Playback Technique.
5. Set the key switch, MIDI CC, or program change to trigger the correct articulation.
6. Save the Expression Map and assign it to your Instrument.

4. Save the Configuration as an Endpoint (Optional)

Endpoints store VST routing, Expression Maps, and MIDI settings, so you can recall them in multiple projects.

1. In Play Mode, click the gear icon in the VST panel.
2. Choose Save Endpoint Configuration.
3. Name it (e.g., “BBCSO Strings Setup”).
4. It will now appear in your Playback Template options.

5. Save as a Playback Template (Optional)

Playback Templates allow you to reuse your custom instrument setup across different projects.

1. Go to Play Mode → Playback Templates.
2. Click New Template.
3. Add your saved Endpoint Configuration(s).
4. Save the template under a recognizable name.

To apply this template in another project:

• Open Playback Templates.
• Select your custom template and apply it.

6. Save the Project as a Project Template (Optional)

If you want to reuse the entire project structure, including instruments, notation settings, and custom libraries, you can save it as a Project Template:

1. Set up your instruments, playback settings, and templates.
2. Go to File → Save As Template.
3. Name the template (e.g., “Orchestral Film Score Template”).
4. When starting a new project, choose this template to instantly load your settings.

7. Using Independent Voice Playback

Independent Voice Playback is a powerful feature in Dorico that allows each voice within a single instrument staff to be routed to different playback channels. This is particularly useful when working with instruments that have multiple timbral layers, such as:

• String Divisi (e.g., violin sections where one voice plays arco and another pizzicato).
• Polyphonic Keyboard Instruments (e.g., different voices assigned to separate MIDI channels in a piano library).
• Choral Parts (e.g., separate playback control for soprano and alto within a single staff).

To enable Independent Voice Playback:

1. Open Play Mode.
2. Select the instrument track.
3. Click on the gear icon and enable Independent Voice Playback.
4. Assign each voice to a separate channel, allowing for different articulations, dynamics, or instrument layers.

This feature enhances playback realism and allows for greater flexibility in controlling sound libraries.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can seamlessly integrate external VST and AU instruments into Dorico, optimize articulation playback with Expression Maps, and save reusable templates for future projects. Whether you’re working with orchestral libraries, synths, or custom sounds, these tools will enhance your workflow and realism in playback.

Related Resources

• Dorico Blog: Playback Templates
• Steinberg Help: Expression Maps
• Dorico Forum Discussions